Nissan's pocket-size NV vans are suited for camping duty, it turns out

e-NV200 and NV300 are great as taxis, but what about weeklong jaunts across Europe?

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

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Nissan

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

Share

Nissan

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

Share

Nissan

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

Share

Nissan

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

Share

Nissan

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

Share

Nissan

These two campers are due to enter production in Europe, where they will be among the smallest MPVs to receive camper versions.

Most of us in the U.S. have become used to the sight of Nissan NV300 vans as taxis or small delivery runabouts, but there is more to this platform, as Nissan revealed in Spain this week. Say hello to the e-NV200 and NV300 camper concepts -- concepts that are actually going into production. At least in Europe, for now.

Designed with a retro flair, the campers feature a large couch that transforms into a bed, foldout tables, roof tents, roll-up canopies and bike racks, among other items. The camper concepts also feature a sink along with a stove, a pantry for dry food items, plus a mini-fridge.

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Nissan

The campers have enough room for a stove, sink, and mini-fridge.

Both are also pretty compact: Most campers offered in Europe tend to be based on larger and longer vans, ranging from the latest VW Transporters at the smaller end of the scale, to larger campers based on commercial van chassis from automakers such as Renault and Mercedes-Benz. The Nissan NV models, when put into production, will be some of the smallest van-based campers on the market simply because MPVs of this size aren't usually the starting points for camper conversions.

As appealing as these look in equally retro two-tone colors, we can't help but think that this is the future of affordable housing in San Francisco, especially in electric form. Really, what else do you need besides a bathroom and a shower? It's really like a houseboat, but for the road, and with zero emissions.